How to Replace the Battery for 2001 Toyota Sienna

The 2001 Toyota Sienna is part of the first generation model produced since 1998. A family minivan with doors that slide open on either side for easy access, the 2001 Toyota Sienna came in three trim levels: CE, LE and XLE, all powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine. Built on the Camry platform, the Toyota Sienna replaced the Toyota Previa minivan. As in most vehicles, a battery wears out over time and requires replacement. Save money and replace the battery yourself by following a few important steps.

Instructions

1

Shift the Sienna into park and engage the parking brake. Open the hood and allow the engine to cool sufficiently before beginning work.

2

Find the battery on the front right corner of the engine compartment. Note the hold-down bracket that keeps the battery in place. Remove the nut from atop the hold-down bracket using a conventional wrench or a 10 mm open-end wrench. Set the nut aside, lift the bracket of the threaded post and swing it aside. You may need to remove or loosen the nut on the bottom of the bracket at the base of the battery with a 10 mm open-end wrench.

3

Set a 10 mm open-end or conventional adjustable wrench on the nut on the negative cable attached to the terminal on the battery and turn counterclockwise to loosen it. The negative cable terminal is the one marked "-" on or near the battery post. Pull the terminal off the battery post and set it aside.

4

Loosen the nut on the positive cable and remove the cable from the battery. Set it aside and out of the way.

5

Wear gloves and carefully reach in to remove the battery. Batteries are heavy, so take care. Lift the battery from the Sienna.

6

Use the battery terminal brush to clean each cable end. Insert the brush into the negative cable end and turn the brush side to side as you also move it back and forth. The idea is to score the inside of the cable end and remove all the acid corrosion and buildup. When completed correctly, the inside of the cable metal shines. Repeat for the positive cable.

7

Set the new battery into the holder tray, oriented the same as the old battery.

8

Attach the positive cable end and secure it tightly to the positive terminal on the battery using the 10 mm wrench. Ensure the cable cannot move.

9

Secure the negative cable to the negative terminal in the same manner.

10

Replace the hold-down battery bracket in the reverse of the way you removed it.

11

Close the hood and start the Toyota Sienna to test that it works.